weasel
Shy Member
Posts: 10 
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Post by weasel on Aug 16, 2014 20:21:29 GMT
Hi Peas,
For all the Peas who have traveled over the pond I'm curious on how or more like "where" you exchanged your American money for Euros? Not that we'd be carrying a lot of cash but would just like to have some on hand right away. We checked with our bank and they had no idea.
Thanks for your help ~
Natalie
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 16, 2014 20:23:38 GMT
We changed some right in the airport (in Paris). I did use my credit card, and my ATM card -- I'm still amazed at that, since I'm old enough to remember when you ALWAYS took traveller's checks. lol But there are exchange offices in all the airports and in major train stations.
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Post by Sam on Aug 16, 2014 20:28:57 GMT
If you are coming to London, you want sterling (£) rather than Euros! There are many Bureaux de Change outlets, but a quick Google search shows that many post offices offer this service, which may be the best way for you. Ask at your bank for the EX rate before you travel and then search for the rates over here to work out which works in your favour, would be my best guess at which is the best way to go. I am not able to recommend a good exchange place as (obviously) I don't need to use one over here!  |
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Post by KiwiJo on Aug 16, 2014 20:36:41 GMT
We don't take much cash with us when we travel to another country - we get it from the ATMs at our destination. There are ATMs in very international airport - much easier than trying to exchange cash. We get enough cash out to last us a couple of days, then find another ATM.
I think it's safer than carrying large amounts of cash; very few places take travellers checks these days.
The $5 currency exchange fee our bank charges on ATM withdrawals is well worth it for us.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 0:25:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 20:39:26 GMT
As Sam said you need Pounds sterling for London not Euros.
If you want to leave it until you get here there are Bureau de change at Heathrow and Gatwick in the arrivals. Then you can withdraw from an ATM too if you have a four digit pin to go with your card.
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 16, 2014 20:40:45 GMT
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weasel
Shy Member
Posts: 10
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Post by weasel on Aug 16, 2014 20:42:16 GMT
Great!!! Thanks again for your replies. And, as you can tell, I'm not an experienced over the pond traveler and I've learned today about Sterling!  |
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scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,025
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Aug 16, 2014 20:49:01 GMT
Of you plan on using a credit card to make purchases, be sure to have your PIN number. Many places require that you enter a pin for credit cards now. My dh was just in a London last month, and said about half the places he used his card, he needed to enter a pin.
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BarbaraUK
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Surrounded by my yarn stash on the NE coast of England...............!! Refupea 1702
Posts: 5,961
Location: England UK
Jun 27, 2014 12:47:11 GMT
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Post by BarbaraUK on Aug 16, 2014 20:50:45 GMT
Hi Peas, For all the Peas who have traveled over the pond I'm curious on how or more like "where" you exchanged your American money for Euros? Not that we'd be carrying a lot of cash but would just like to have some on hand right away. We checked with our bank and they had no idea. Thanks for your help ~ Natalie As Sam said, if you are coming to London you will need Sterling not Euros for that part of your trip.....we aren't in the Euro zone. You will need Euros on any mainland Europe travels. M&S (Marks & Spencer) -one of our biggest department store chains - have a Bureau de Change in most main branches in London and offer a fair exchange rate. Also, any of our travel agents....such as Thomson's..... on the main streets will give you a fair exchange rate. However, getting cash from an ATM during your stay, rather than carrying a lot of cash around, is probably the better option. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 0:25:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 20:54:39 GMT
Great!!! Thanks again for your replies. And, as you can tell, I'm not an experienced over the pond traveler and I've learned today about Sterling! Pound Sterling if the UK Pound. You can also have an Egyptian Pound and a Syrian Pound. Similar to us saying we need US dollars rather than Canadian or Australian Dollars. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 16, 2014 22:16:00 GMT
We ordered about $200 worth of pounds sterling from our bank before we left. Then we withdrew cash from ATMs as we needed it, as you are hit with an exchange fee again if you need to convert it back.
Check with your CC company and bank. We ended up getting a CC with a chip in it when we were there in April. It's more secure than a regular CC. It also didn't charge exchange fees, which can really add up and apply to each transaction (not just ATM fees.)
If your bank is a small, local bank, ask to speak with the manager. If it's a larger bank, talk to a different teller. It's not that unusual for people to need other currency when traveling and they should have the information.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 16, 2014 22:17:24 GMT
Hi Peas, For all the Peas who have traveled over the pond I'm curious on how or more like "where" you exchanged your American money for Euros? Not that we'd be carrying a lot of cash but would just like to have some on hand right away. We checked with our bank and they had no idea. Thanks for your help ~ Natalie Unless your bank is a credit union, you should be able to order it from your bank. It'll take a few days but they can get it in to their location. Now, credit unions don't offer this service. Otherwise, use your ATM card at an ATM machine and get cash that way. Best exchange you'll get. |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Aug 17, 2014 2:25:39 GMT
DON"T exchange money!
Use your debit card to pull money out of an ATM.. it is the Best exchange rate you can get.
The Airport and any Bureau de change charge HUGE fees!!!
USE the ATM at the airport!
I lived in London for 10 years and have loads of people from the US who came and visited us. Seriously DON"T use the exchange services... big rip off!
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Post by Jockscrap on Aug 17, 2014 8:06:05 GMT
Agree with the quote above. M&S stores have great rates and their stores are everywhere, but I'd rely more on using the ATMs. Check fees with your bank before you go. Some operate on a percentage basis, eg 2.5%, but there is often a minimum commission, so it may be worth taking a bit more money out less frequently, than lots of small amounts. Never use airport BDC. They are notorious for high rates.
Our credit cards have been chip and pin for many years. For your own safety, order one, but better still, apply for a zero fee credit card especially for foreign travel. Don't withdraw money using your credit card as you will be hammered with fees as you pay interest on the amount from the day you withdraw the funds. The 'fee free' applies to buying goods and services only.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Aug 17, 2014 8:10:54 GMT
DO exchange money, because not everywhere you go will take a card, and especially not if you're street-shopping.
I was just in Germany/France last year. Both my dad and I exchanged enough before leaving (at the airport) that we were able to change it back at the same place without any additional fees. We both thought we wouldn't use that much, but were surprised at how fast we did.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 17, 2014 12:29:10 GMT
AAA also exchanges money. Order it a few days in advance
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Aug 17, 2014 12:47:31 GMT
You can also order foreign currency through an American Express office if you have one locally. I think all large national banks have a service where you can order currency online and pick it up at a local branch.
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oblibby
Full Member
Posts: 211
Location: Bonnie Scotland
Jul 10, 2014 10:30:12 GMT
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Post by oblibby on Aug 17, 2014 14:26:53 GMT
I just use an ATM to draw money out when I travel.
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Post by gar on Aug 17, 2014 14:34:53 GMT
DO exchange money, because not everywhere you go will take a card, and especially not if you're street-shopping. I was just in Germany/France last year. Both my dad and I exchanged enough before leaving (at the airport) that we were able to change it back at the same place without any additional fees. We both thought we wouldn't use that much, but were surprised at how fast we did. London is not Germany or France. The vast majority of establishments, although not street vendors, will take cards. |
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Post by ahiller on Aug 20, 2014 13:41:07 GMT
I'd get some from an ATM as soon as you land. The money exchange places charge a ridiculous amount to change it over. I'm sure the airport will have an ATM you could use immediately for at least a small amount to get you to your hotel. Just don't forget to let your bank know so they don't shut your card down.
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Aug 20, 2014 13:49:32 GMT
Can I use my regular bank debit card in london/paris? Or do I need to use my credit card?
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 20, 2014 14:38:56 GMT
Can I use my regular bank debit card in london/paris? Or do I need to use my credit card? Are you talking about using it at vendors? You won't be able to put your pin in most likely. But if it'll run as a credit card you should be fine. You can easily pull cash out of the ATM which is by far the best way to handle it. Also, let your bank know you're travelling so they don't shut you down. |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 20, 2014 15:48:54 GMT
Can I use my regular bank debit card in london/paris? Or do I need to use my credit card? Yes, but it won't work everywhere. I had a friend in Paris last year and the ticket kiosks wouldn't take her CC. We we ordered a CC with a chip from our bank and never had a problem. Best of all, there were no exchange fees. They can really add up. Think about it. You charge breakfast. You get drinks at a convenience store. You buy some chatchkes at the Tower of London. You buy tickets at the Tower of London. You buy lunch. Your get a tee. You hop on a double decker bus. Then there's dinner. And then the London Eye. That's 9 transactions in a day, times $5 (I don't know the exchange fees, as we didn't use them. But they will be in pounds, and nothing is cheap over there.). You could easily spend $50 a day in fees alone. Even $25 is too much if you are there for a week. Yikes! |
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smartypants71
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Posts: 5,819
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Aug 20, 2014 15:55:15 GMT
I always get mine from the ATM in the airport and use my credit card for everything else.
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Post by *KAS* on Aug 20, 2014 16:01:52 GMT
I got a couple hundred US dollars worth right in my bank branch. After that, I just used my debit card in a local bank ATM.
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ReneeH20
Full Member
Posts: 452
Jun 28, 2014 16:00:48 GMT
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Post by ReneeH20 on Aug 20, 2014 19:05:20 GMT
I have Wells Fargo and a couple local branches have Pounds on hand for a good rate (They also have Euros and Pesos). I like to get a some of the local currency before I land. I don't have the chip and pin credit cards and my experience is that they often don't work in the ticket machines. We just take the tube from the airport. If we need more cash, we'll get it from an ATM locally.
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